Everyone has to communicate throughout the day. Talking to the family or replying to coworkers are general examples. Communication helps productivity, education, and personal connection. People suffering from addiction lose touch with the communication skills. After treatment, therapy can aid the individual in hounding the skills. Talk therapy is common after detox and inpatient treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT) links with finding new skills. Speaking through traumatic experiences and working out anger can relieve the addict from difficult emotions.

Listening

Slowing personal thoughts and really understanding what another person is saying describes listening. Some will begin to think about what they want to say next, instead of hearing what the other person was trying to say. For an addict, the racing thoughts take over and don’t allow the individual to communicate well with others. Lacking the skill can cause broken homes and lonely people. Recovering from addiction without learning communication wouldn’t be a successful recovery. The individual needs to make a new life and have new, sober friends to communicate with. The person in recovery has to listen, understand, and get to know new friends in order to build new connections.

Body Language

Someone fighting addiction can feel judged, paranoid, and scared in public situations. Holding body posture, eye contact, and an outwardly pleasant appearance can help with communicating with others. Not making eye contact and slumping over sends a stand-off message. The emotions and reactions related to drug and alcohol use can be slight and obvious actions. Someone using meth could have rotting teeth. Anyone who uses with needles can have scarring on the arm. Another addict could suffer from scratching at their skin or having the shakes. After treatment, the individual can feel out of their skin. Sitting still and focusing on one thing can be different and uncomfortable. Therapy and self-awareness will inspire the person in recovery to overcome the body language barrier.

Clarity

Expressing strong emotions in an unclear way will push people away from one another. The person in recovery can learn to speak comfortably and not seem hostile. Getting the message across without aggression, and with clarity, will make a major difference in relationships and productivity. The individual will be able to express his or her needs and wants without causing a heated argument. Direct speaking can sometimes be seen as anger. The individual should practice voice and tone to give a correct message.

Addiction blocks the ability to communicate efficiently. The substances won’t allow clarity of the mind or emotional control. Resilient House can help you find peace and build the skills to live a happy and healthy lifestyle. Find balance by calling 833-change1 (833-242-6431).